Water Quality and Evaluation

Introduction
As small as Jenkintown is, and as long as we have lived here, few among us have explored “Station Creek.” Where does it come from and where does it go? Is it “healthy?” How would we know?
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Task
Produce a presentation using PowerPoint to inform the community about “Station Creek.” Your presentation should include the following stages: · An introduction to the importance of water and the water cycle. · Identification of our place in the water cycle, including the local watershed and closest surface water. · Explanation of healthy water and tests used to ascertain these characteristics. · Point-by-point analysis of our closest surface water. · Recommendations to improve or maintain water quality.
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Process
Students will use Inspiration or a paint program to illustrate and explain the water cycle. Students will use online resources to: · Identify “Station Creek” · Determine measures of water quality Students will document research using appropriate bibliographic format Students will use researched indicators to measure water quality Students will observe life in and around the water Students will analyze the health of “Station Creek” by discussing their test results and what their findings indicate Students will present a PowerPoint show describing their findings and recommendations for action
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Student Resources
Web Resources
USGS Water Science for Schools		Fresh water activity (tally)
Common Water Measurements		Environmental Literacy Council
Water Facts		Seaworld Water Quality
Water Quality		What’s up with our nation’s waters?
Delaware River Basin EdWeb		Water treatment cycle
EPA Water Testing Instructions		Noodletools for Bibliography!
Research Template		Research Rubric
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Evaluation
Rubric for PowerPoint
Content Objectives	Olympic Medalist = 4			College Competitor = 3		Swim Club Standout = 2	Dog Paddling = 1
Demonstrate understanding of the water cycle	Presenter/author uses all pertinent vocabulary and constructs an appropriate graphic			Presenter/author misses one vocabulary word or the graphic is missing a connection		Presenter/author misses several pertinent terms or fails to create graphic	Presenter/author misses several pertinent terms and fails to create graphic
Demonstrate understanding of water quality factors	P/a defines at least 5 factors determining water quality, describes the effect of the factor on life in or near the water			P/a defines 4 or 5 factors determining water quality, failing to describe completely the effect of the factor on life in or near the water		P/a defines only 3 factors determining water quality, or fails to describe the effect of the factor on life in or near the water	P/a defines only 1 or 2 factors determining water quality, failing to describe the effect of the factor on life in or near the water
Data findings are presented and explained in terms of effects	P/a describes the results of at least 5 tests of water quality, explaining the meaning of those results			P/a describes the results of 4 or 5 tests of water quality, failing to completely explain the meaning of those results		P/a describes the results of only 3 tests of water quality, or fails to explain the meaning of those results	P/a describes the results of only 1 or 2 tests of water quality and fails to explain the meaning of results
Recommendations for action logically follow from analysis of data	P/a makes recommendations directly from their results			P/a makes vague recommendations from their results		P/a makes recommendations unrelated to results	P/a makes no recommendations
Technology Objectives	Technology Guru = 4			Quality User = 3	Familiar with the Technology = 2			Newbie = 1
Research and Bibliography	At least 4 varied websites or print sources are properly cited			Only 3 varied websites or print sources are properly cited or 4 are used but not properly cited	At least 3 websites or print sources are properly cited but do not vary in origin			Only 1 source used, citations are not in proper form, or no citations present
Use of graphics	Graphics illustrate the point made on the slide, are appropriately dispersed throughout the presentation			Graphics usually illustrate the point made on the slide, are appropriately dispersed throughout the presentation	Graphics seldom illustrate the point made on the slide, are not dispersed throughout the presentation			Few graphics, most inappropriate to the presentation
Use of charts	Two charts included from Excel, showing results of tests compared to acceptable ranges			One chart included from Excel, showing results of test compared to acceptable ranges	One charts included from Excel, showing results of tests with no comparison			No Excel chart present
Visual Appeal	Backgrounds are uniform, text is clearly read from across the room, special backgrounds add rather than distract from the message			Backgrounds are uniform, text is occasionally unclear, special backgrounds add rather than distract from the message	Backgrounds are varied and distracting, text is not clear due to color, size, or style; special backgrounds distract from the message			No backgrounds, text is unclear
Class Presentation Guide		Presentation to class and any audience present is worth 8 points.
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Conclusion
Students completing this project deserve a cheer for the real-life monitoring they’ve accomplished. Interested students may volunteer for a more active, ongoing part in maintaining or improving the quality of Station Creek.
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Teacher Page
Essential Question: What is “healthy” water?
Local Environmental Science Outcomes: 1. Develop an understanding of man’s relationship with the environment 2. Evaluate the environmental input-output balances within an ecosystem 3. Analyze factors influencing water quality 4. Investigate air quality 5. Develop an understanding of population changes and describe their impacts on the environment
Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Environment and Ecology 4.1 Watersheds and Wetlands A. Describe changes that occur from a stream’s origin to its final outflow. B. Explain the relationship among landforms, vegetation and the amount and speed of water. 4.3 Environmental Health A. Describe environmental health issues. B. Explain how multiple variables determine the effects of pollution on environmental health, natural processes and human practices. C. Explain biological diversity as an indicator of a healthy environment. 4.6 Ecosystems and their Interactions A. Explain the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem and their interaction. B. Analyze how ecosystems change over time. 4.7 Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species A. Explain the significance of diversity in ecosystems. B. Explain how structure, function and behavior of plants and animals affect their ability to survive. C. Identify and explain why adaptations can lead to specialization. 4.9 Environmental Laws and Regulations A. Explain why environmental laws and regulations are developed and enacted.
Teacher Resources
Freshwater exploration			National Groundwater association
Freshwater Tally - Teacher Page
References on all water topics
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References

http://www.schoolpalm.com/ (image of Palm m505)

http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/pictureshtml/autosampler.html (image of autosampler)

http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/pictureshtml/autosampler.html (image of artesian well)